A WOMAN who kicked her victim in the head has been spared jail.

Kylie Townsley, 28, was verbally abusive to Joanne O’Fee before attacking her in Whitehaven on the afternoon of June 26 last year.

Townsley was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Friday having admitted assaulting Miss O’Fee.

Prosecutor Wayne Jackson said trouble began when the victim was outside the Lion pub. While having a cigarette she saw Townsley and two other women.

When Townsley became verbally abusive, Miss O’Fee tried to calm her down by suggesting they take a walk along a nearby path.

This was lined with nettles and brambles, and Mr Jackson said: “The defendant pushed Miss O’Fee into the nettles.

“Thereafter she recalled being kicked in the face and head.”

Miss O’Fee suffered bruising and “tenderness” to her jaw.

Townsley was said to have 53 offences on a criminal record, including some for violence.

Brendan Burke, mitigating, was said to have mixed alcohol with her medication that day.

Recorder John Corless imposed a four-month jail term which he suspended for two years.

Townsley, of Gameriggs Road, Whitehaven, was also given a rehabilitation requirement and a one-month curfew.